Baked Chicken and Orzo

This Baked Chicken and Orzo is a delicious and budget-friendly meal that the entire family will love. Juicy chicken thighs that are seasoned to perfection and baked on top of a bed of tender pasta. What more could you want?

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With school starting back soon, it’s time to get ready for easy meals that can be made without a lot of effort. And, this chicken orzo bake is one of my favorite one-pot meals.

If your family loves Orzo like mine does then next time you may also want to give this Ground Beef and Orzo Skillet a try.

Ingredients

This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. You can find the full list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

bowls of oil, orzo, salt, pepper, onions, broth, tomatoes, chicken thighs, parmesan, oregano, basil, pepper flakes, garlic, and parsley on a counter.

boneless skinless chicken thighs – You can also use bone-in.
olive oil
Salt and pepper
onion
fresh garlic cloves – I like to use fresh garlic, but you can also use the minced kind.
orzo pasta
diced tomatoes
dried oregano
dried basil
red pepper flakes – This is optional. If you are not a fan of spicy foods leave it out.
grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley

Instructions

This is a quick overview of the instructions to make this recipe. You can find the full steps in the recipe card.

chicken being cooked in a cast iron skillet.

Season the chicken and sear on both sides until golden brown.

onions being sauteed in a cast iron skillet.

Remove the chicken from the skillet, an then saute the onion until translucent, and add the garlic for the last minute of cooking.

tomatoes, seasonings, and pasta being added to a cast iron skillet.

Stir in the orzo, chicken broth, tomatoes, and seasonings then simmer for five minutes.

chicken and orzo in a cast iron skillet ready for the oven.

Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake in the 375 degrees f oven for 25-30 minutes.

Storage

Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Freezing – You can also freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating – Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warm all the way through. You can also reheat it in the microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes.

Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips

When searing the chicken, make sure that you wait until your skillet is fully preheated so that you get an even sear.
You don’t have to worry about cooking the chicken all the way through when searing it. You only need a nice brown crust on the outside. It will finish cooking while in the oven.
Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature for 165 degrees before you remove it from the oven.

finished baked chicken and orzo in a cast iron skillet.

FAQs

What is the best skillet to use?

I like to use a cast iron skillet but you can use any cast iron skillet.

Looking for other recipes like this chicken orzo bake? Try these: